Since the 1970s, video games have had a growing presence in our culture. From the primitive Pong game to virtual reality it is undeniable that video games play a dominant role in how we as a society entertain ourselves. Billions of dollars are spent every year in the gaming industry as it continues to attract multiple generations. You can play competitively online with someone across the world or immerse yourself in a thrilling adventure on your own.
With the rise of video games has come a new kind of addiction. In 2018, the World Health Organization added video game addiction to its International Classification of Diseases. The American Psychiatric Association has yet to add video game addiction to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, but they may add it in the next version. I have increasingly come across people who either reported they are addicted to video games or have shown signs of video game addiction. Parents have increasingly reported their children showing signs of video game addiction. So, what is it? How does one know if video game addiction applies to them?
First, someone who plays a lot of video games does not automatically meet the criteria for an addiction. Like all other mental health disorders, there are multiple criteria a person has to meet to be diagnosed. So what is the criteria? You can find them listed below. Remember, someone does not necessarily have to meet all of these criteria, but these are signs to watch out for if you are concerned.
- Thinking about gaming all or a lot of the time
- Feeling bad when you can’t play
- Needing to spend more and more time playing to feel good
- Not being able to quit or even play less
- Not wanting to do other things that you used to like
- Having problems at work, school, or home because of your gaming
- Playing despite these problems
- Lying to people close to you about how much time you spend playing
- Using gaming to ease bad moods and feelings
Individuals with ADHD have been shown to be at a higher risk to developing video game addiction due the short supply of dopamine in the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex. Video games have been shown to give people a dopamine kick when playing so those with ADHD brains get the dose of dopamine they need so their brains are rewarded for playing. Limiting time to 30 minutes to an hour a day should be a healthy balance for any individual.
If you think you or someone you know is addicted to video games then getting some professional help may be beneficial.
